
ITINERARIES
Old Town
Begin your walk through mediaeval Stockholm in the Old Town. Start by
Stockholm Palace, built in 1697-1754 after a fire had totally destroyed
the old palace. Visit Storkyrkan (Stockholm cathedral), Stockholm's oldest
church dating from the 1200s. Take a little extra time to view the wood
sculpture of Saint George and the Dragon.
Head towards Stortorget, where the Stockholm massacre took place in 1520.
In the Exchange Building (Börshuset), dating from 1778, stock exchange
trading was carried on up until 1990; it now houses the Nobel Museum.
Follow Köpmangatan down towards Österlånggatan. By Köpmantorget
you will find a replica of Saint George and the Dragon in bronze.
At Österlångatan 41 you can visit the Ice Gallery, where it
is always -5 to -8°C. Here you will find ice works of art, and you
can quench your thirst with a drink served in an ice glass. Why not take
a tour of Riddarholmen and see Riddarholmskyrkan (Riddarholm Church),
which, like Storkyrkan, dates from the 1200s.
The Heights of Söder
During the 1800s, Mosebacke Etablissement was a popular entertainment
haunt for Stockholmers, and still is today. Alongside the square is the
classical Södra Teatern. In the evening it is pleasant to have dinner
at the Mosebacke Terrace and enjoy the view.
Go past the Katarina Church. With the exception of the outer walls, the
church was totally destroyed by a fire in 1990; the current building was
completed in 1995. At the end of Mäster Mikaels gata is Glasbruksklippan
with gardens that were laid out at the beginning of the 1950s.
Vasa Museum (Vasamuseet)
Sweden’s most visited museum enshrines the warship, Vasa, sunk inside
Stockholm harbour while on her maiden voyage in 1628. The ship was built
to the order of the great Vasa king, Gustavus Adolphus, and was the most
powerful war galleon of her age. She was raised whole from the harbour
bed in 1961, over 330 years after she had last seen the light of day.
Carefully preserved, the ship now rests intact in the museum’s main
hall. Displays recreate life on board the ship and a film shows how the
salvage operation was carried out. The museum’s beautiful waterfront
site on the island of Djurgården is an added attraction. There are
guided tours in English, Monday to Friday 1230 and 1430, Saturday and
Sunday 1030 and 1630.
Stadshuset (City Hall)
Voted by the Swedes as the country’s finest building, Stockholm’s
City Hall was begun in 1911, to an Art Nouveau design by Ragnar Östberg.
Its interior has grand civic apartments, including the Golden Hall, with
its glass and gold mosaics, while its tower gives a sweeping panorama
of Stockholm. The building’s Blue Hall – which is actually
red – is the venue for the annual Nobel Prize banquet. Visitors
must join one of the scheduled tours to see the interior, although access
to the tower is unrestricted during opening hours.
Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace)
Situated in the heart of Stockholm, on the central island of Riddarholmen,
the Royal Palace is the official residence of the monarchs of Sweden and
the chief venue for official state events. With 608 rooms, it is among
the largest surviving palaces in Europe. The present glorious Baroque
edifice is the work of Nicodemus Tessin the Younger, from a 1692 design,
however, parts of the older medieval Castle of Three Crowns still survive.
Attractions include the Banqueting Apartments, the Apartments of the Orders
of Chivalry, the Hall of State, the Royal Treasury, Gustav III’s
Museum of Antiquities and the Royal Chapel. In addition, the changing
of the guard at the palace is as much of a spectacle in Stockholm as it
is in London.
Haga Park
Haga Park is a pleasant for walks, bicycle tours or strolling between
museums. Gustav III's Paviljong is a superb example of late neoclassical
style. The furnishings and décor reflect Gustav III's interest
in all things Roman, developed during his Italian tour in 1782. In Fjärils
& Fågelhuset (Butterfly House), there's an artificial tropical
environment with free-flying birds and butterflies. There's also a shop
and cafe. Haga Parkmuseum has displays about the park, its pavilions and
the royal palace, Haga slot.
Statens Historiska Museet (Museum of National Antiquities)
Sweden’s national historical museum, which traces the nation’s
history from prehistoric times to the present day, is now graced by a
spectacular Gold Room, housing the gold of the Viking chiefs. These hoards,
recovered from tombs or hiding places, show Scandinavian Viking culture
at its most prosperous and magnificent. There is also one of the finest
European collections of medieval painted wooden religious sculpture on
exhibition.
Strindbergsmuseet (Strindberg Museum)
Stockholm’s most famous cultural figure has his temple here. The
Blå Tornet (Blue Tower) was August Strindberg’s last home,
from 1908 until his death in 1912. His apartment and library have been
preserved in their original state. An exhibition showcases his last works,
written on the premises. The museum, which also hosts temporary exhibitions
and plays, is furnished in a strikingly sparse Nordic Art Nouveau style.
Skansen
Skansen, the world's first open-air museum, was founded in 1891 by Artur
Hazelius to let visitors see how Swedes lived in previous times. Today,
around 150 traditional houses (inhabited by staff in period costume) and
other exhibits from all over Sweden occupy this attractive hill top. It's
a spectacular 'Sweden in miniature' and you could spend all day here.
There are 46 buildings from rural areas around the country, including
a Sami camp (with reindeer), farmsteads representing several regions,
a manor house and a school.
Stadshuset
The town hall is topped with a golden spire and the symbol of Swedish
power, the three royal crowns. Inside is the beautiful mosaic-lined Gyllene
Salen (Golden Hall), Prins Eugen's fresco re-creation of the lake view
from the gallery, and the hall where the annual Nobel Prize banquet is
held. Entry with tours only.
The Globe Arena
The Globe Arena had its opening in 1989. It took less than 2,5 years to
construct this spectacular building. A sport and culture arena with seating
for 16,000 spectators. Its contrasting profile makes Globen stand out
from the rest of the Stockholm skyline. It had already become a symbol
of the city during its construction.
Drottningholm Palace
Drottningholm Palace, begun in 1662, was built to a design by Nicodemus
Tessin the Elder. The surrounding park exemplifies both French Baroque
and English romantic landscaping ideals. The palace itself, the theatre
and the Chinese Pavilion have been placed on the UNESCO world heritage
list.
Gustav III's Pavilion
Gustav III's Pavilion, in Haga, is one of the finest exemplars of late
Gustavian taste. The pavilion was furnished for Gustav III in the style
of antique Rome during the 1780s and 90s.
Gripsholm Palace
Gripsholm Palace houses a late 18th-century Gustavian theatre and is home
to the National Portrait Collection. The palace is situated in Mariefred
and was begun over 450 years ago. With its strong round towers the palace
has a finely preserved 16th century interior and is typical of the fortresses
put up by the Vasa kings.
Häringe Castle
Count Gustav Horn built Häringe Castle in 1641, but Häringe's
ancestry dates all the way back to Sote the Viking who lived here in the
1100th century. Since then there have been many different owners. Thorsten
Kreuger who lived at the castle between in the 1930's built a two lane
bowling alley and an outdoor swimmingpool with a slide from the second
floor bathroom. Unfortunately the slide is no longer here but the bowling
alley and the pool is till used by our guests. Axel and Marguerite Wenner-Gren
bought the castle from Kreuger and lived here until Axel's death in 1961.
Skokloster Castle
One of Europe's best preserved baroque palaces and a testimony to Sweden's
period as a great power. Splendid interiors, weapons and exotic objects,
an unfinished banquet hall. Café, exhibitions, shop, children's
workshop.
Parks & Gardens
In the greater Stockholm area, visitors will find much more than just
the large city parks such as Kungsträdgården and Rålambshovsparken.
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